If you own a computer with Windows 7 or Windows 8, you can get a fee upgrade from Microsoft to Windows 10. Here are the details:
- You need to reserve an appointment to get the download – normally this is done by clicking the Windows 10 icon (2×2 blocks forming a square in the bottom right corner of your screen).
- It will be a free upgrade if you do it within 1 year of launch ie until July 2016.
- It will be free – period. No subscription fees start after one year as has been rumored.
- If you liked either the Windows 7 or Windows 8 interface, you will like Windows 10. A touchscreen is NOT required to use Windows 10.
- What happened to Windows 9? Microsoft marketing felt that it made sense to go 7 to 8 to 10…… don’t ask – its a marketing thing.
- Windows 10 will come with a product key and can be burnt onto a CD for your latter use and to reformat your computer.
- Windows 10 is planned to be supported until the end of the life of your hardware. I suspect this applies more to manufacturers than Microsoft. As software is upgraded, the drivers which interface between the software and hardware need to be updated also. These drivers are created by hardware manufacturers. For example, HP no longer offers XP drivers for its newer printers. I would suspect that hardware that originally ran Windows 7 will start to not have drivers available for the latest Windows 10 updates in roughly 2022, but this is purely a guess on my part based on past experience. That doesn’t mean that those machines will stop working but they may no longer support the newer features added after that date.
Some caveats:
- The Windows 10 free upgrades are available to anyone with Windows 7, 8 or 8.1 except for people using the RT or Enterprise versions. RT was used on tablets and some Surface models. Enterprise is used by larger companies on their business machines. Windows 7 or 8 Pro can get a free upgrade to 10.
- Windows 10 free upgrades are NOT available for people using Windows XP, Windows Vista or pirated copies of any version of Windows.
- Windows 10 does require one to have a Microsoft account set up prior to doing the upgrade. A Microsoft account gives you access to Microsoft services and makes them work together better. It does allow you to go from one Windows device to another and have a more common experience. Some feel this is a little too much like big brother but it has been the situation in the Apple and Android environments for several years.
As always if you have questions, please call or email us your questions. We will be happy to do the upgrade for you if you desire (we do charge for this service). Continuing to support customers throughout the Triangle including Apex, Cary, Morrisville, Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill.